Etymology & Historical Origin of the Baby Name Camille

Camille is the French equivalent of Camilla, the feminine form of the old Roman family name Camillus which is derived from Latin. Camillus referred to a pre-pubescent boy who was chosen from among the Roman nobility to attend the Priests during sacrifices in Rome’s pagan era (kind of like an altar boy of sorts). These were people of aristocracy. The name Camilla appears in Virgil’s famous epic poem, “The Aeneid” with the distinction of being the strongest female mortal. As the daughter of King Metabus, she was promised to the service of Diana (goddess of the hunt). While the king was fleeing his revolting subjects, he came upon a river as he was carrying the baby Camilla. He safely hurled her to the other side by tying her to his spear. She was raised as a warrior maiden and became accustomed to the chase as a servant of Diana. Virgil claimed that Camilla ran so quickly she could turn blades of grass into ashes. As an aside, “kāmil” is also the Arabic word for perfection. As a French name, it’s no surprise that Camille ranked as the 7th most popular name for girls in France. As a unisex name, Camille is also used for boys in France and ranked in at position #134 (2009). Camille is also quite popular as a girl’s name in Québec, Canada; Belgium and the French speaking portion of Switzerland. Here in the United States, the French-spirited state of Louisiana puts Camille on its Top 100 list. This name is also quite popular in Slavic countries where it is commonly spelled with a K.

All About the Baby Name – Camille

Personality

OF THE GIRL NAME CAMILLE

The number one personality is a leader - strong and competitive. They are willing to initiate action and take risks. One personalities work hard toward their endeavors and have the ability to apply their creative and innovative thinking skills with strong determination. They believe in their ability to succeed and are too stubborn to be hindered by obstacles. Ones meet obstacles head-on with such mental vigor and energy that you better step aside. They resent taking orders, so don't try telling them what to do either. This is an intensely active personality, but they are also known as starters rather than finishers. They have a propensity to become bored and will move quickly to the next project if not properly challenged.  They are the ones to think up and put into action new and brilliant ideas, but they are not the ones to stick around and manage them. This personality has an enthusiastic and pioneering spirit. They are distinctly original.

Popularity

OF THE GIRL NAME CAMILLE

The name Camille has been used for females in the United States for well over a century. Back in the late 1880s (when the U.S. government first began tracking naming trends), Camille enjoyed moderately low usage. Native English speakers have traditionally favored the more elaborate Latin form of the name: Camilla. But the French took this three syllable beauty and shortened it to a more elegant sounding two syllables. They actually pronounce it ca-MEE rather than Americans who are more apt to pronounce it ca-MEEL. We think both are beautiful sounding names. Camilla Parker-Bowles helped put this name back on the map in America, but the French Camille has always remained a quiet mainstay on the U.S. popularity charts. Camille is an all around gorgeous choice for a little girl. It’s familiar but not ordinary. Elegant but not elaborate. French but not snooty. Simple but not boring. Derived from an old Roman name from the days of paganism, Camille is an ancient, timeless classic. It can also be shortened to the cute pet names Cammie or Millie.

Quick Facts

ON CAMILLE

GENDER:

Girl

ORIGIN:

French

NUMBER OF SYLLABLES:

2

RANKING POPULARITY:

243

PRONUNCIATION:

ka-MEE(L)

SIMPLE MEANING:

Acolyte of religious rituals (an attendant)

Characteristics

OF CAMILLE

Independent

Individualistic

Ambitious

Strong-willed

Inventive

Successful

Cultural References to the Baby Name – Camille

Literary Characters

OF THE BABY NAME CAMILLE

Childrens Books

ON THE BABY NAME CAMILLE

We cannot find any childrens books with the first name Camille


Popular Songs

ON CAMILLE

Camille
a song by David Olney

Famous People

NAMED CAMILLE

Camille (French singer)
Camille Pissarro (painter)
Camille Anna Paglia (author)
Hurricane Camille (1969)
Camille Claudel (French sculptor)
Camille Javal (birth name of Brigitte Bardot)
Camille Bancroft (model)
Camille Bombois (painter)
Camille Corot (painter)
Camille Desmoulins (author)
Camille Hilaire (painter)
Camille Jones (model)
Camille Laguire (writer)
Camille Laurens (writer)
Camille Pert (writer)
Camille Pin (tennis player)
Camille Saint-Saëns (composer)
Camille Lache Smith (actress)
Camille Souter (painter)
Camille Sullivan (actress)
Camille (French singer)
Camille Pissarro (painter)
Camille Anna Paglia (author)
Hurricane Camille (1969)
Camille Claudel (French sculptor)
Camille Javal (birth name of Brigitte Bardot)
Camille Bancroft (model)
Camille Bombois (painter)
Camille Corot (painter)
Camille Desmoulins (author)
Camille Hilaire (painter)
Camille Jones (model)
Camille Laguire (writer)
Camille Laurens (writer)
Camille Pert (writer)
Camille Pin (tennis player)
Camille Saint-Saëns (composer)
Camille Lache Smith (actress)
Camille Souter (painter)
Camille Sullivan (actress)
Camille (French singer)
Camille Pissarro (painter)
Camille Anna Paglia (author)
Hurricane Camille (1969)
Camille Claudel (French sculptor)
Camille Javal (birth name of Brigitte Bardot)
Camille Bancroft (model)
Camille Bombois (painter)
Camille Corot (painter)
Camille Desmoulins (author)
Camille Hilaire (painter)
Camille Jones (model)
Camille Laguire (writer)
Camille Laurens (writer)
Camille Pert (writer)
Camille Pin (tennis player)
Camille Saint-Saëns (composer)
Camille Lache Smith (actress)
Camille Souter (painter)
Camille Sullivan (actress)

Children of Famous People

NAMED CAMILLE

We cannot find any children of famous people with the first name Camille

Historic Figures

WITH THE NAME CAMILLE

We cannot find any historically significant people with the first name Camille